Goneva extends Tigers stay

Leicester Tigers have announced that Vereniki Goneva has agreed a new contract to extend his stay at the club.

Leicester Tigers have announced that Vereniki Goneva has agreed a new contract to extend his stay at the club.

After lengthy speculation surrounding the Fijian international's future, top try-scorer Goneva has now agreed a new deal at Welford Road.

Goneva has become a big favourite with supporters since joining Tigers in the summer of 2012 and has been in top form this season, scoring 11 tries in 21 appearances for the club.

Named as Aviva Premiership Player of the Month for February, he is also shortlisted for Player of the Year in the Tigers supporters' awards.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill expressed his delight that Goneva has decided to extend his stay at the club.

"Niki has become a very important player for us, he has been playing the best rugby of his career this season and we believe this environment will help him to be the best he can possibly be on the pitch," he told Leicester Tigers' official website.

"Leicester Tigers is a big club in English and European rugby, and we want to keep hold of our big players.

"I'm delighted that Niki has agreed to stay beyond the end of this season and it will be a very popular decision with the rest of the players and with our supporters."

Goneva has scored 18 tries in 37 appearances so far in his two seasons at Tigers and is thrilled to stay at the club.

"I'm very happy to stay with Leicester Tigers," he said.

"The club, the players and the supporters have been very good to me since I came here."